Germany okay with Huawei building infrastructure

Unlike the Five Eyes countries, Germany's technology watchdog says it cannot find any evidence Huawei is a security risk.

New Zealand's spy agency the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in November effectively banned Spark from teaming up with the Chinese firm to build its 5G network.

Similar concerns have been raised by agencies in the US, Canada and Australia. The UK is the only country in the Five Eyes spy alliance that's letting Huawei build infrastructure at present.

But Germany is also bucking the trend.

"For such serious decisions like a ban, you need proof," Arne Schoenbohm, the head of Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), told Spiegel.

He said they couldn't find any evidence, even after examining products and its lab in the German city of Bonn.

All three of Germany's major telcos use Huawei equipment, according to Spiegel.

Here in New Zealand National leader Simon Bridges said last month he hadn't seen a "smoking gun" to back up the GSCB's concerns, but his MP Judith Collins said it would be "foolish" not to heed their advice.

Huawei reportedly has close links with the Chinese government and military. 

Newshub.